Another veteran has initiated a lawsuit against 3M over Combat Arms Earplugs V2.

According to this claim, which follows the allegations made by other veterans in similar lawsuits, the combat arms earplugs sold to the government and U.S. military by 3M were defective, and 3M allegedly knew as much but continued to promote the earplugs nonetheless.

According to a report by CBS, this allegedly exposed servicemembers to unnecessary and serious hearing loss. Tinnitus and hearing loss are two of the most common disability claims filed by veterans.

Latest Lawsuit Claims Retired Veteran Has Had to Cope with Serious Hearing Loss

One retired sergeant based in Ohio has initiated his own lawsuit against 3M after the company provided defective combat arms earplugs to the military for a minimum of 12 years. The company reportedly reached an agreement with the U.S. government in 2018 to pay the army $9.1 million over Combat Arms Earplugs V2.

Many different service members who used Combat Arms Earplugs V2 in training or in actual service could have developed hearing loss and tinnitus that followed them for many years after they left the military. The combat arms earplugs in question are the dual-ended earplugs manufactured by 3M. 3M is one of the only suppliers of earplugs to the army.

The settlement with the U.S. government only addresses the obligation that the company had to the government for providing faulty earplugs and knowingly supplying these defective devices to the army following earplug test result manipulation.

However, individual soldiers are also paying the price in the form of serious medical conditions such as hearing loss. Some of them have opted to file lawsuits against 3M in an effort to recover compensation for the injuries they sustained. Thousands of other veterans have already taken the step to file a lawsuit against 3M arguing that they’ve used the earplugs with the expectation that they would be protected from significant hearing loss.

The $9.1 million settlement was a result of allegations brought against 3M through the enforcement of the False Claims Act. There was no determination of liability as a result of that settlement, but military servicemembers are taking this action into their own hands by attempting to file lawsuits.

Even though military members have a higher than normal risk for hearing loss, tools like earplugs are designed to decrease that potential condition. Exposure to loud noises like explosions and gunfire are a part of life for most veterans while active in service.

The Impact of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can be caused by many different issues but can have far-reaching implications. Most people who have been diagnosed with some form of hearing loss struggle to have conversations with friends, family, medical providers, and other professionals.

Many people are reluctant to admit if they have difficulty hearing but hearing loss could lead to isolation or depression due to embarrassment about not being able to understand what is being said. Hearing problems that are untreated or ignored can get worse. If you or someone you know has developed hearing loss as a result of military service, consider scheduling a consultation with an attorney.